Sexual Health Clinic

If you are worried about your sexual health or you would just like some advice, then Dr Laura Hamilton-Grey and Nurse Jenna Kewley are here to help you.

Our sexual Health clinic

Our sexual Health service with Dr Laura Hamilton-Grey and Nurse Jenna Kewley offers you a completely confidential face to face service in our Bournemouth clinic. We do not share any information with the NHS unless you specifically ask us to and you can choose how we communicate and contact you. Our clinic is easily accessible for patients living in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area.

Book a consultation

You can book a 30-minute face to face consultation and there will be time for you to discuss your concerns and have any blood/urine or swab tests that are necessary. The results of the tests will be sent to you in a way that you choose and then you can arrange a follow up appointment if required.

The cost of the initial 30-minute face to face appointment with Dr Hamilton-Grey is £139.50

The cost of the initial 30-minute face to face appointment with Nurse Jenna Kewley is £120

If you require any tests, then these are charged for separately depending on the laboratory fees. Please see below for a small selection of the many tests we can carry out and their prices.

Once you have seen Dr Hamilton-Grey, or Nurse Jenna Kewley you can then book a follow-up appointment. They offer:

10-minute telephone consultation for advice/prescription – £47
20-minute face to face or telephone consultation for advice/prescription/follow-up tests with Dr Hamilton-Grey – £93
20-minute face to face or telephone consultation for advice/prescription/follow-up tests with Nurse Jenna Kewley - £80

What happens if I get a positive result?

If you receive a positive test result from us, then we advise that you arrange a 10-minute telephone call or a 20 minute face to face appointment with Dr Hamilton-Grey or one of our other doctors. They will be able to advise on the best treatment options and a prescription can be sent to a pharmacy of your choice on the same day.

If you are issued with a prescription, please note it is a private prescription and you will need to pay for the medication at the pharmacy.

If you would like to book an appointment with Dr Laura Hamilton-Grey, please click here or alternatively call us on 01202 761150.

Please note if you book an appointment online, then you will automatically receive an appointment confirmation by email which says you are booked in for a “Health Check with Dr Hamilton-Grey”. The email will provide a link for you to fill in a “Health Questionnaire”. Please note this questionnaire will ask you some personal questions regarding your sexual history.

We always maintain the strictest confidentiality and we do not send any information or results to your NHS surgery unless you instruct us to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sexually transmitted disease (STI)?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are generally acquired by sexual contact. The bacteria, viruses or parasites that cause sexually transmitted infections may pass from person to person in blood, semen or vaginal and other bodily fluids.
Sometimes these infections can be transmitted non sexually, such as from mothers to their infants during pregnancy or childbirth, or through blood transfusions or shared needles.
STIs don’t always cause symptoms. It’s possible to contract sexually transmitted infections from people who seem perfectly healthy and may not even know they have an infection.

What are the symptoms of an STI??

an unusual or odorous discharge from the vagina, penis or anus
pain or burning during urination
lumps or skin growths around the genitals or bottom (anus)
a rash
soreness, pain, swelling or redness around the genitals
abdominal Pain
bleeding after sex or between periods
unusual vaginal bleeding
itchy genitals or anus
blisters and sores around the genitals or anus
a rash on the palms of hands and soles of feet that can sometimes spread all over body – this is not usually itchy
white patches in mouth
flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches and tiredness
swollen glands
patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows
warts around the genitals or anus
warts in the mouth or throat, but this is very rare

What are the common types of STD?

Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the UK. In 2013, more than 200,000 people tested positive for chlamydia in England and the majority were under 25. It is very easily cured but, if left untreated, it can cause serious reproductive and health problems.
Epididymo-orchitis
Epididymo-orchitis is the inflammation of the epididymis tube, which is a tube located at the back of the testicles that stores and carries sperm. It only affects men and can be very painful, with serious health problems, if left untreated.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes or herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are two types of the virus, HSV type 1 and HSV type 2; both types can cause genital herpes.
Genital warts
Genital warts, or Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes small fleshy growths, warts or bumps on the genitals. They are small fleshy and usually painless. However, they can be unpleasant to look at and can be distressing for some people with the infection.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is the second most common bacterial STI in the UK, after chlamydia. The majority of those who test positive are under 25. It is very easily cured but, if left untreated, Gonorrhoea can cause serious reproductive and health problems. Gonorrhoea is usually treated with a single antibiotic injection.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is one of a group of viruses that can cause this. There are two stages of the infection – “acute” which lasts for one to three months and chronic infections which last for longer.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is one of a group of viruses that can cause this and is the most common type of viral hepatitis in the UK. If left untreated, it can cause serious liver damage.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system and weakens the body’s ability to fight other infections. About 70-90% of people living with HIV have no symptoms and carry the infection without knowing.
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
LGV is also known as ‘lymphogranuloma venereum’. It’s a form of chlamydia that attacks the lymph nodes. It is very rarely seen in heterosexual (straight) men and women in the UK, but cases are being seen among gay and bisexual men in growing numbers. Most cases of LGV can be treated with antibiotics, as long as the infection is treated early enough. However, left untreated, LGV can cause lasting damage that may require surgery.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. If can be treated quickly and effectively if caught early. Left untreated, it can lead to infertility. It’s a common condition which mostly affects sexually active women, aged 15 to 24.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that spreads easily and can have long-term health implications. While less common than some STIs, numbers are rising. It is usually caught by having sex with someone who is infected (including oral sex) and occurs in three distinct stages.
Trichomonas vaginalis
Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is tiny parasite, which can live in the vagina as well as in the urethra (tube that carries urine from your bladder out of the body) of both women and men. The infection is easily passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Diagnosis can be made fairly easily in females but is often difficult in males. TV is unlikely to go away without treatment but can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Urethritis (NGU)
Urethritis is inflammation (swelling) of the urethra – the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. It is commonly caused by chlamydia. It is called non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) when not caused by Gonorrhoea. A clinical diagnosis of NGU is possible in males but not in females.
Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen)
Mycoplasma gentalium (Mgen) is a sexually transmitted infection like Chlamydia. It is caused by a tiny organism called Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen), which is found in the water passage of infected men and women, and in the vagina in women.

When should I consider getting an STI test?

The most common reasons you might consider having an STI test are:

You have symptoms consistent with an STI
You have engaged in unprotected sex
You and/or your partner have multiple sexual partners
You’ve met someone new and want to be sure you’re both healthy before beginning a physical relationship

If you have decided to take an STI test, we would advise that your current partner (and any other partners with whom you have had a sexual relationship in the past 6 months) are tested as well.

Why are STI tests important?

If you are sexually active, taking an STI test is the most reliable way of making sure you stay safe. Detecting STIs early prevents STIs from spreading to other people and reduces the likelihood of complications.
Some STIs do not present symptoms, but they can cause long-lasting or permanent damage to your health

What can the long term affect of an STI be?

Pelvic pain
Pregnancy complications
Eye inflammation
Arthritis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Infertility
Heart disease
Certain cancers, such as HPV-associated cervical and rectal cancers

How often should I have an STI test?

This can depend on your age, gender and how sexually active you are:

If you are a sexually active man – you should be tested every 3-6 months.
If you are a sexually active woman – you should be tested every 12 months for gonorrhoea and chlamydia (more often if you have multiple partners and/or unprotected sex).
If you are a pregnant sexually active woman – you should be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis. Furthermore, if you are also high risk, you should be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

When is the best time to take an STI test?

We recommend no earlier than 2 weeks after having unprotected sex. However, if you think you might have an STI already or have started to experience symptoms, you can test immediately and then repeat the test 2 weeks later.
If a test is done too early, the results may be inaccurate due to the differing incubation periods of STIs.

How can I prevent an STI?

The best way to prevent an STI is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI with the following steps:

Get vaccinated. There are vaccines to protect against HPV and hepatitis B.
Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to prevent STIs when you have sex. Because a man does not need to ejaculate (come) to give or get some STIs, make sure to put the condom on before the penis touches the vagina, mouth, or anus. Other methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from STIs.
Get tested. Be sure you and your partner are tested for STIs. Talk to each other about the test results before you have sex.
Be monogamous. Having sex with just one partner can lower your risk for STIs. After being tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That means that you have sex only with each other and no one else.
Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of getting STIs goes up with the number of partners you have.
Do not douche. Douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infection. This may increase your risk of getting STIs.
Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Drinking too much alcohol or using drugs increases risky behavior and may put you at risk of sexual assault and possible exposure to STIs.

The steps above work best when used together. No single step can protect you from every single type of STI.

Our STD test prices

This is a small selection of the tests we can offer. Please contact us if you require the
price(s) for a specific test or group of tests.

Individual test prices

Herpes by swab or urine – £48
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea by urine sample – £61Gonorrhoea by urine sample – £30
HIV 1&2 blood test – £33
Rapid Early Detection HIV test (which can test from 10 days after exposure) blood test – £110
Syphilis by blood test – £35

Profile Test Prices (several tests grouped together under one price)

STD 1 – £71 – This includes – HIV 1&2/p24 Antigen, Syphilis IgG/IgM, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
STD 2 – £182 – This includes – HIV 1&2/p24 Antigen, Hep B Surface Antigen, Hep C Abs, Syphilis IgG/IgM, Chlamydia/Gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma, Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Herpes Simplex I/II
STD5 – £71 – This includes – HIV 1&2/p24 Antigen, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hep C Abs, Syphilis IgG/Ig
STD8 USING CULTURE & SWAB – £83 – This includes – Candida species, Gardnerella vaginalis by PCR, Trichomonas vaginalis by PC

HOW TO BOOK OR ASK ANY QUESTIONS

If you have any questions, please feel free to fill in the form below and we will be in touch as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can also call us on 01202 761150 or email reception@dorsetprivategp.co.uk

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